Haiti minister explains Hurricane Matthew's devastation

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- In Haiti, the death toll from Hurricane Matthew has risen over 1,000 and more than a million people are in need of aid.

Caleb Lucien has lived in Haiti most of his life and is the president of Hosean International Ministries, a non-profit organization with a stateside office in Little Rock, where his wife is from. Now with millions homeless, suffering from health issues, and a lack of resources, his organization has been helping start the recovery process.

"Basically devastation, total devastation," said Lucien, describing the hurricane's impact on the island nation.

That devastation is something Caleb Lucien is experiencing first hand.

"From my organizations standpoint, I cannot help the whole South, but I can go to one community and have an impact," said Lucien.

In Haiti, people have lost their homes, belongings, and lives as water swept away entire communities.

"We need prayers, that’s one thing, but we also need action," said Lucien.

Lucien and his team have gone to the heart of the loss. They've purchased thousands of tin roofs to start rebuilding and they're putting together 2,500 kits for those in need.

"Which has food of different kinds, we're sending water tablets; water filters that can help with Cholera," said Lucien.

Devastation is a word Lucien has heard and used too many times

"I've seen Katrina; I've seen the 2004 hurricane in Gonaïves; I've worked in 2008, and I've worked in 2010," said Lucien.

It’s that experience that tells him recovery won't be quick, and it won’t be easy.

"It is something that is going to take a long process, and we don't even know when school is going to start back again," said Lucien. “From the health standpoint, from an education standpoint, from a shelter standpoint, the situation is really one that’s going to take a long time to get solved.”

Hosean needs monetary donations for lumber, roofing materials, food, and anything else to help with the recovery process. You can donate by clicking here.

Lucien said aside from monetary donations, they also need teams to help them start rebuilding.